American Flower Show Series

The Midwest Daffodil Society’s show features hundreds of daffodils on display that will be judged by the society. The show includes cut blooms, floral design, and photography competitions inspired by the display gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Daffodil growers of all skill levels are invited to participate.

The Glenview/North Shore African Violet Society presents an annual show that features displays of more than 50 African violets and other gesneriads. Some plants will be available for purchase. Society members will be available to answer questions.

The Central States Dahlia Society presents its annual plant and root sale. Featuring dahlias in an array of sizes, shapes, and colors. This is a great opportunity to purchase dahlias seen on display at the society's annual show in September. Prices begin at $4. Society members will be available to answer questions and provide written information about dahlia planting and care.

More than 100 varieties of rhododendron and azaleas will be on display and for sale at this show presented by the Midwest chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Chapter members will also be available to answer questions.

The Midwest Bonsai Society’s spring show features spring-blooming trees, bonsai on rocks, and suiseki (the Japanese art of stones). Visitors can also enjoy demonstrations and workshops and shop for bonsai and bonsai supplies. Registration is required for workshops.

The Northern Illinois Hosta Society presents this show, which features more than 100 cut-leaf specimens of hosta, including rare and unusual varieties. Hosta growers will have garden-ready plants for sale.

The Ikebana International Society presents an exhibition of traditional Japanese flower arranging. This event features many educational opportunities to learn about the mechanics and techniques of ikebana.

The Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society's annual show features floral arrangements in four artistic categories, and a beautiful, judged display of more than 100 lily blooms in different varieties. This show features true lilies, which are never dormant, but perennial plants arising from a bulb full of scales. A wide variety of true lilies will be on display. Visitors can get tips from experts on how to grow and propagate lilies.

Sponsored by the Northshore Iris and Daylily Society, this show features more than ten artistic arrangements and more than 50 daylily varieties in bloom. The sale features iris and daylily plants, available for purchase on both Saturday and Sunday. The show is on Sunday only.

The Cactus and Succulent Society of Greater Chicago presents a show and sale of cactuses and succulents. The sale features plants grown by members of the society. Free children’s educational programming will be provided by Multidisciplinary Education for the Environment (ME4E).

A standard flower show presented by the District IX Garden Clubs of Illinois. The show includes table top arrangements, floral designs, educational exhibits, photography, artistic crafts, youth exhibits, and of course, horticulture exhibits. Garden Clubs of Illinois is comprised of nearly 10,000 members and is divided up into nine districts.

The Gardeners of the North Shore host this annual show, which includes a judged exhibition with more than 500 entries of anything a home gardener can grow, including flowers, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants.

The Midwest Bonsai Society hosts one of the top three bonsai shows and sales in the nation every third weekend of August. The show draws bonsai enthusiasts from all over the country. More than 100 bonsai are on display. The bonsai marketplace features plants, books, tools, bonsai pots, and more. Workshops are held throughout the show and require registration. To learn more about the workshops, visit www.midwestbonsai.org.

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, originated with Ikenobo in Kyoto, Japan, as a Buddhist floral offering. This show is presented by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society, Chicago Chapter, and will feature arrangements from members who will be on hand to answer questions about Ikenobo.

The Bromeliad Society of Greater Chicago show and sale features plants such as pineapples and Spanish moss, which are generally easy to grow, require little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long-lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. Society members will be on hand; information on growing bromeliads will be provided. Various bromeliads will be for sale.

The Illinois Mycological Association celebrates the richness of fall mushrooms in Illinois with an exhibition of 50 to 100 varieties of mushroom foraged from area forests. Members provide information and answer questions regarding mushrooms and fungi. A children's education area is available, and mushrooms, books, and T-shirts will be for sale. Mycology is the study of fungi and their use to humans as a source for medicine and food; their dangers, such as poisoning or infection; and their benefits to natural ecosystems.

See gourds of all shapes and sizes at this show and sale. The show includes themed and educational displays. Society members and growers will be on hand to answer questions. Vendors will sell crafted gourds of all kinds in addition to dry gourds, seeds, tools, and supplies. Several workshops will be offered through the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The Central States Dahlia Society is hosting their 81st Dahlia Show featuring exhibitors from all over the Midwest. Hundreds of dahlia blooms ranging in size from a silver dollar to a dinner plate will be judged and on display, with floral designs and photography completing the show. Dahlias are known for their bright, vibrant colors and perfect petal arrangements. Society members will be on hand to provide written information and to answer questions about dahlias.

The Illinois Orchid Society presents this show, in which individual orchids in 128 classes will vie for red, white, and blue ribbons. Twenty-five entries will receive "best of class" green ribbons, and the best-appointed plant in the show will receive the Chicago Horticultural Society Award from American Orchid Society judges. Tabletop displays, from the rarest of species to cultivated hybrids, will be artistically arranged. The Society will provide an orchid sales area and repotting services. For more information, visit www.iosoc.com.

Freshly harvested fruit grown in the area by the Midwest Fruit Explorers is on display and for sale. Featured are apples, pears, paw paws, grapes, kiwis, and more. See apples turned into cider during apple press demonstrations. Visitors can enjoy tastings and information on growing fruit. Apples, cider, and more will be available for sale.

At these workshops, Chicago Botanic Garden volunteers and other participants transform dried flowers, grasses, and pods into beautiful arrangements for purchase at the Roadside Flower Sale. The public is invited to participate in the workshops and learn more about flower arranging. All arrangements made during the workshops will be donated to the sale and proceeds will benefit the Garden. Please register for workshops in advance by calling (847) 835-8392.

Hold on to summer and shop one-of-a-kind natural plant and dried flower arrangements at the Chicago Botanic Garden's annual Roadside Flower Sale. Visit the sale in the Regenstein Center to view gifts incorporating dried flowers, pods, and grasses from the Garden.

More than 300 flower arrangements and wreaths created by talented volunteers are available for purchase. The sale features arrangements, wreaths, bouquets, wall hangings, stationery cards, and more.

Volunteers design the floral arrangements using plant materials they collected at the Garden throughout the year. Professional floral designers lead the creation of each item at special workshops, allowing volunteers to showcase their unique talents and perspectives. Volunteers first hosted this event in 1980.

Proceeds from the Roadside Flower Sale benefit the Garden.

The American Flower Show Series is endowed in honor of Louise Durham Mead and Walter Langworthy Mead.